Norwich vies for first STAC title in 15 years

BINGHAMTON – When Norwich steps on the floor to play Vestal for its first STAC championship since 1994, it will see a team that looks the same, but is playing much better than the one Norwich defeated by one point back in December.

The Tornado (17-2) meet the Golden Bears at 8:45 p.m. at the Binghamton University Event Center Saturday, and each club can safely say they are playing pretty darn well.

Norwich hasn’t lost in over a month and is riding an eight-game winning streak. As for Vestal, its blowout win over Seton Catholic Central to reach the final – on the Saints’ home floor no less – speaks for itself. “We were not surprised by the fact Vestal won, but by how convincing it was,” said Norwich coach Mark Abbott. “Both are talented clubs, and to see that Vestal was up nearly 30 points at halftime is mind boggling.”

The Golden Bears are sizable – every starter is at least 6-foot-2 – and returning all-STAC player Jeremy Baltz is set to appear in the second clash of this two clubs. Baltz was injured in the earlier meeting. “Baltz brings the slashing dimension that they didn’t have the first time,” Abbott. “They’re big, fast, and powerful, but at the same time, I like our guys. We’re in this thing, one through 13.”